<h4 data-path-to-node="3"><b>Landmark Sovereign Credit Window Unveiled to Replace Aging Riverine Fleet with Dual-Fuel and Electric Vessels Across National Waterway-1 and National Waterway-2</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-241"><span data-path-to-node="4,0"><b data-path-to-node="4,0" data-index-in-node="0">NEW DELHI</b> — In a major policy intervention to accelerate the modal shift from saturated road-rail corridors to inland water transport, Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL)—the specialized Non-Banking Financial Company operating under the administrative aegis of the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)</span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">—has approved an initial ₹1,850-crore concessional soft-loan facility dedicated to private riverine barge operators.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="5">The long-term financing program is designed to resolve historical capital constraints that have prevented domestic barge operators from procuring modern, high-capacity, and low-emission vessels. Under the newly sanctioned credit mechanism, private fleet owners and inland logistics integrators can access debt financing covering up to 70% of baseline shipbuilding and propulsion retrofit costs, coupled with an extended 15-year amortisation schedule and a three-year moratorium on principal repayments.</p><p data-path-to-node="6" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-242"><span data-path-to-node="6,0">The initiative directly aligns with national carbon-reduction benchmarks, the <i data-path-to-node="6,0" data-index-in-node="78">PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan</i>, and the <i data-path-to-node="6,0" data-index-in-node="123">Harit Nauka</i> green inland vessel charter</span><span data-path-to-node="6,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,2">, targeting a substantial expansion of inland water transport’s share in the national logistics modal split.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><b><!----></b></sources-carousel-inline></p><h4 data-path-to-node="8"><b>Overcoming Capital Hurdles and High-Emission Dependencies</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="9" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-243"><span data-path-to-node="9,0">India’s navigable inland waterway system—spanning thousands of kilometers across core arterial routes like National Waterway-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly system) and National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra River)</span><span data-path-to-node="9,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,2">—has historically faced limited private sector fleet investment due to rigid commercial lending conditions:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">High Commercial Debt Burdens:</b> Domestic commercial lenders traditionally classified riverine freight vessels under high-risk transport equipment, demanding steep borrowing spreads exceeding 12% to 14% per annum alongside short five-to-seven-year repayment tenors, discouraging private capital outlay.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Aging and Fragmented Fleet:</b> A substantial portion of the active private barge inventory comprises obsolete, single-hull diesel craft with poor fuel economy, frequent engine breakdowns, and high carbon footprints, preventing scheduled time-tabled cargo services.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-244"><span data-path-to-node="10,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">First-Mover Penalties for Green Propulsion:</b> The higher upfront capital expenditure required for cleaner technologies—such as dual-fuel Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), compressed biogas, and hybrid-electric battery drives—disadvantaged operators attempting to deploy sustainable vessels against subsidized highway trucking</span><span data-path-to-node="10,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="10,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="11" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-245"><span data-path-to-node="11,0">The ₹1,850-crore SMFCL soft-loan package addresses these market distortions by providing specialized project appraisal, subsidizing capital borrowing costs down to competitive single-digit rates, and prioritizing financing for vessels built at accredited domestic shipyards</span><span data-path-to-node="11,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="11,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><h4 data-path-to-node="13"><b>Core Financing Parameters &amp; Technical Eligibility</b></h4><ul data-path-to-node="14"><li><p data-path-to-node="14,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="14,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Capital Coverage Ratio:</b> Up to 70% of total vessel construction, hull fabrication, and propulsion integration costs, substantially higher than conventional commercial loan baselines of 50% to 55%.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="14,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="14,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Loan Tenor &amp; Repayment Architecture:</b> Extended debt amortization up to 15 years, supported by a structured 36-month principal repayment moratorium to allow new vessels to achieve operational breakeven.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="14,2,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-246"><span data-path-to-node="14,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="14,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Eligible Vessel Propulsion Profiles:</b> Dual-fuel LNG/CNG engines, pure battery-electric systems, hybrid-electric battery drives, and certified bio-methanol power plants compliant with the Inland Vessels Act</span><span data-path-to-node="14,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="14,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="14,3,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-247"><span data-path-to-node="14,3,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="14,3,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Carrying Capacity Benchmarks:</b> Minimum threshold of 1,200 to 2,500 deadweight metric tonnes (DWT) designed for shallow-draft river transit</span><span data-path-to-node="14,3,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="14,3,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="14,4,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-248"><span data-path-to-node="14,4,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="14,4,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Designated Operating Routes:</b> Priority deployment across National Waterway-1 (Varanasi–Haldia), National Waterway-2 (Dhubri–Pandu), and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) trade fairways</span><span data-path-to-node="14,4,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="14,4,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><h4 data-path-to-node="16"><b>Catalyzing Multimodal Corridors and Cross-Border Protocol Trade</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="17">The soft-loan facility will directly benefit multi-modal cargo evacuation across Eastern and Northeastern India. By incentivizing the introduction of standardized 1,500 to 2,500-tonne deadweight barges equipped with modern shallow-draft hulls, the scheme will accelerate dry-bulk and containerized movements:</p><ul data-path-to-node="18"><li><p data-path-to-node="18,0,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-249"><span data-path-to-node="18,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="18,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">National Waterway-1 Industrial Spine:</b> Modernized self-propelled barges will transport thermal coal, finished steel, cement clinker, and containerized consumer payloads between industrial complexes in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal directly to deepwater transshipment berths at Kolkata and Haldia docks</span><span data-path-to-node="18,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="18,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="18,1,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-250"><span data-path-to-node="18,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="18,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) and NW-2 Links:</b> The financing window supports vessel designs certified to navigate estuarine shoals and river bends between Kolkata, Narayanganj, and Pandu (Guwahati)</span><span data-path-to-node="18,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="18,1,0,2">, shifting agricultural goods and industrial raw materials away from congested highway bottlenecks</span><span data-path-to-node="18,1,0,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="18,1,0,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="18,2,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-251"><span data-path-to-node="18,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="18,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Integration with Multimodal Terminals:</b> The new fleet of barges will interface directly with automated Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Kalughat</span><span data-path-to-node="18,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="18,2,0,2">, enabling roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) and container gantry transshipment straight onto freight rail networks</span><span data-path-to-node="18,2,0,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="18,2,0,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><h4 data-path-to-node="20"><b>Operational and Environmental Dividends</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="21">Migrating heavy industrial commodities from arterial highway corridors onto modernized riverine tonnage produces decisive logistics and environmental gains:</p><ul data-path-to-node="22"><li><p data-path-to-node="22,0,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-252"><span data-path-to-node="22,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="22,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Haulage Cost Compression:</b> Moving bulk cargo via modern inland barges lowers transport costs by up to 30% to 35% per tonne-kilometer compared to long-haul trucking, delivering direct margin savings to manufacturing clusters</span><span data-path-to-node="22,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="22,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="22,1,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-253"><span data-path-to-node="22,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="22,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Surface Highway Decongestion:</b> Deploying high-capacity 2,000-tonne river barges systematically removes dozens of heavy multi-axle freight trailers per voyage from saturated national highway corridors like NH-19 and NH-27</span><span data-path-to-node="22,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="22,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="22,2,0" id="p-rc_053ac077e61a72e4-254"><span data-path-to-node="22,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="22,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Emissions Reduction:</b> Transitioning to dual-fuel and hybrid-electric propulsion drastically reduces sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions while cutting overall carbon footprints by over 25% per riverine transit</span><span data-path-to-node="22,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c583429416="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c583429416="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="22,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1154564605=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><h4 data-path-to-node="24"><b>Official Perspectives &amp; Implementation Timeline</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="25">Outlining the deployment roadmap in New Delhi, a senior official from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways emphasized:</p><blockquote data-path-to-node="26"><p data-path-to-node="26,0"><i data-path-to-node="26,0" data-index-in-node="0">"Inland waterways offer the most cost-effective and energy-efficient mode of surface transit, costing a fraction of road haulage per tonne-kilometer. However, waterway logistics cannot scale without modern, reliable private tonnage. By utilizing Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited to extend long-tenure soft loans, the government is de-risking fleet investments for our riverine transport entrepreneurs. This ensures that modern, green-powered vessels become the commercial backbone of our national and cross-border river corridors."</i></p></blockquote><p data-path-to-node="27">Technical and financial appraisal windows for the first tranche of loan applications will formally open via SMFCL’s digital single-window portal next month, with the initial delivery of newly financed dual-fuel freight barges scheduled to commence operations by late 2027.</p>